4 weeks on April 15, 2007

Is it really 4 weeks since E was born!  It’s been a pretty calm, relaxing few weeks, getting used to being 4 instead of 3.  We haven’t ventured too far, the furthest being my friend’s in Harrogate, and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (I couldn’t not go and see Andy Goldsworthy on my doorstep).

L has been fantastic, a bit trying at times having her here all day (nursery starts again next week ) but very tolerant of all the feeding.  Here’s a pic of her in full flow, I can watch her for hours when she’s so involved in something, it’s as if time stands still for her she’s so engrossed in what she’s doing.

Not much crafting going on I still haven’t finished the ripple blanket!!  But remember this tablecloth, I managed to make L a smocket, it’s gorgeous but no photos unfortunately as she thought otherwise and is still to try it on, it’s in her dressing up box now!!!  So I had to make a mini one, for somebody who doesn’t have a choice what she wears!

It turned out a bit small, I reduced the pattern by 50%, so I’m gonna have another go with some fabric to match these booties.  But it’s so cute, great for summer over a vest.

Apart from that we’ve been enjoying ths sun, here’s some pics from our garden.

I used this great little program mentioned by Heather.  And more flow from L.

Bitty bootie 1 February 6, 2007

My first attempt at the bitty bootie, I’m really pleased.  They’re very autumnal, as I just used what I had to hand.  This baby is due at the end of the month, and we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, but it will be wearing the booties!!!

I have made straps, but I’m going to wait till the baby’s born to sew them on, I want to make sure they fit properly.  I’m onto a leather pair now, having found a scrap in my fabric box.  I can see there will be lots more of these being made, a great project to make with a little one around.

Baby projects February 1, 2007

I’ve only got about a month to go before this little nippers born, so I’m packing in the baby projects before it arrives, partly to keep me busy and to stop me dwelling on the labour.

Here’s a few things I’ve got on the go, or plan to do in the next month.

I’m trying to keep up the crochet practice, although I have just realised I’d been learning american crochet (Stitch n Bitch Crochet – the happy hooker), so I went to the local library and borrowed a couple of books with English crochet (First Crochet, and Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots).  Not much difference, but the stitches have different names, I had a go at these ‘Baby Brogues’ from the First Crochet book, they’re so cute, one is bigger than the other but nevermind!!

I’ve also started knitting a little cardigan, it’s a pattern from this months Simply Knitting Magazine, the pattern is by Kokobino, I’ve modified it slightly, I haven’t tried stripy knitting yet, and I had a spare ball of self striping 4ply sock wool.  If it goes well, I think I’ll buy some nicer wool, and have a go at the striped version.

I’ve been buying some nappies in preparation too, I used reusables with L (prefolds), but not at nightime as they leaked, so I bought some lovely bamboo terry shaped nappies from Babeco, the terry is so silky and lush.  I noticed they sell the fabric so I’ve been having a go at making some baby towels (I’ve finally got to grips with the overlocker), what a breeze, I found the bias binding a bit tricky (if anyone’s got any tips, they’d be welcome), but I’m so pleased with it.  I’ve just got to wash it before I have a go at another one, and I’ve got enough terry to make a load of washable wipes!!.  Here’s the unwashed, overlocked version, with Sleepytoes baby modelling (she’s not very photogenic).  I’ll post a pick of the washed, finished one later.

I’d really like to have a go at Heather’s Bitty Booties, it looks like an easy pattern to follow, I’ve got loads of bits of fleece lying around, a prototype might be in order.

As I make baby slings for a living, I’t would be nice to make some custom made ones for this little one, but I can see I’ll end up grabbing one or two from stock.  I’d love to make a fancy ring sling, I’ve got some lush pistachio green stretchy cotton, that would be stunning with a bit of embroidery or something added to the tail.  Maybe that caould be a project to save if I become overdue!!

A good days surfing!! November 30, 2006

I’ve been eying old embroidered linens in charity shops, they’re so lovely and someones spent so much time making them, but what could I do with them!!!!  Look at this

there’s more here, I found it on a blog with lots of lovelies, I like the headbands, might have a go.